[Rhodes22-list] Off-topic Posts - for Kathy, gently

[Robert Skinner]

kathylong at comcast.net wrote:
> I recently subscribed to this list...

For my part, I welcome you aboard!  I hope you find 
both the R22 and this list enjoyable.

> Everyone on this list is friendly and helpful...

Would that it were so, but open hostility is rare.
No one has been murdered, but there is the occasional 
suicide.

> I am suggesting that this list be limited to topics
> related to friendly exchanges and conversations about
> boats, water, wind, and everything else about having
> fun sailing the Rhodes 22...  It is best to keep this
> blog focused on sailing.

Hmmm.  Two things:  

1.  You, as is everyone on this list, are welcome to your 
opinion.  Many will listen and think about it.  I have.
Not all will agree.

2.  A "blog" is typically a series of personal posts 
constituting a sort of on-line journal.  Calling
"rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org" a blog is stretching it a 
bit.

> If the list looses its focus, new people will be 
> confused or turned-off - and then just tune-out.
> regards,
> Kathy Long

Kathy, the focus that you speak about is your focus, and
that of all of us here.  When someone poses a question
about sailing, answers come quickly, and most are very
useful.  Speaking for myself, I try to be helpful when 
there is an issue that I know about.  We are all learning.

However, like a ham sandwich, the list seems to enjoy a bit
of mustard -- something in addition to the meat of the 
argument.  Some enjoy it.  Some don't.  Some don't even
like ham.  Your mileage may vary.

By tacit (not explicit or unanimous) agreement, jokes 
(some of which are a bit ribald) and political posts carry 
the word "Joke" or "Political" in the subject line.

This allows those who wish to focus entirely on the R22
and sailing to filter such posts directly to their "Trash"
folder.  If you would like some help setting up such a 
filter, just post the question -- someone will help.

As a person who posts on a variety of subjects, I try to
keep the subject line relevant.  In a recent post I failed
to insert the "Political" warning flag in the subject.  My
bad.  No sarcasm, just an simple apology from one sailor 
to another.  Please accept it.

And a word of warning about the future:  I or someone else 
might screw up again...  The list charter allows for that.
There is a certain healthy anarchy here, sort of like an
Irish bar.

I, for one, hope you do not "tune out".

Sincerely,
/Robert Skinner